A house divided upon itself cannot stand

Harold Peters

It seems apparent these days that Americans are feeling cynical about politics and jaded with a democracy that has arguably failed these past eight years. They are cautiously eyeing the Democrats to send a leader to Washington who will transcend partisanship and return a sense of dignity to Washington. The last thing that the Democrats should be fostering, however, is the division and fear that has torn apart the fabric of American politics these last eight years. Instead, they should be taking advantage of the enthusiastic youth and nominating the candidate who is able to bring the generation-Yers out in unprecedented numbers — the one who is able to cross political divides and bring Democrat, Republican, and independent together. Democrats need to nominate Barack Obama as their candidate for president of the United States.

The Clinton years are still a fresh memory. So vivid, in fact, that the economic boom that occurred as well as the euphoria that engulfed the Western world after the fall of the Soviet Union are a reason why many look favourably upon Hillary. We were in uncharted territory, and Bill and his wife were young and exciting — the first baby boomers to occupy the White House. Yet right from the start, they were engulfed in scandals and investigations that did nothing but help to fuel the political divisions that plague the country to this day. Hillary, for instance, stepped out of line with her campaign to reform health care, and this “Hillarycare,” as it came to be known, is what helped the Republicans take over the entire Congress in 1994.

It was not difficult for the Republicans to make a mockery of the Clinton presidency. From Gennifer Flowers to Whitewater to Monica Lewinsky and even ridiculous impeachment proceedings, the opponents of the Clintons never ran out of fuel with which to attack. These same opponents can barely contain their excitement at the thought of Hillary winning the nomination, simply because they are so good at fostering hatred for hate the Clintons. The political embers of the impeachment are still smoldering and the Republicans have a lot of kindling.

Barack Obama, on the other hand, is able to bring together people of all political creeds by inspiring them to want more for America. His rallies bring thousands of supporters — Democrat, Republican, and independent — who are all looking to believe in America again. For in Barack Obama, Americans see progress and a hope that now seem like only a distant memory.

Obama has a record of caring for the development of his community and the representation of the underprivileged. He also opposed the second Iraq war from the beginning, and must regret not running for senator in 2000 so he could have opposed it officially. He is the sort of statesman that reminds us of why we admire America. Obama removes cynicism from politics and motivates the young generation — our generation — to take part in civics and to get excited about politics.

It’s a word that has been thrown around a lot over the past month, but Obama truly represents change. Not from Bush or Republicans or “Washington-ness,” but from a way of thinking that has left the American economy in shambles, it’s political landscape divided, and a big hole in lower Manhattan. Division has been the status quo in America whether in reforming social security, health care, or even in co-ordinating intelligence efforts for the last 16 years. It is the politics of laziness. But Americans are tired of fighting and they want to believe in their great dream again.

Bill Clinton has recently been criticizing Obama’s campaign, in one instance saying that it’s “the biggest fairy tale I’ve ever seen.” A fairy tale, Bill? What happened to that place called “Hope” you used to believe in? Americans still believe in the hope you brought them and they will overcome the fervent partisanship that erupted in the ’90s and bring order to the house.

Abraham Lincoln said in 1858, “A house divided upon itself cannot stand.” It is as true now as it was back then, and America has to take a serious look in the mirror. If the Democrats do not destroy themselves before the convention (which is a serious possibility), they must choose the candidate that will truly usher America and the world into the 21st century. If they start to believe in themselves again, the world will follow; and we can put behind us the mess of the last 16 years.

In his book Second Chance, former Carter national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski says, “‘It will take years of deliberate effort and genuine skill to restore America’s political credibility and legitimacy . . . to fashion a truly post-Cold-War globalist foreign policy.” Barack Obama has the inspirational ability to unite Americans and their allies and to deal with the spectre of extremism that haunts the world today. Hillary would simply be a return to the status quo — and cynicism.

On Feb. 5, Democrats are going to vote for the candidate of change, hope, and progress. They will vote for a man that reflects who they truly believe represents the America that now seems like a flickering memory. As that candidate himself said at Ebenezer Baptist Church, “Brothers and sisters, we cannot walk alone. . . . In the struggle to heal this nation and repair this world, we cannot walk alone. . . . Together we will sing the song that tears down the walls that divide us and lift up an America that is truly indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Harold Peters is a recent graduate of the faculty of science.